Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I do not like malls. The stores are usually filled with cheaply made clothing that everybody wears. At smaller boutiques, I can get clothing that is better made that is more "exclusive" in that it does not have the production levels as places like the gap or banana republic. Also, in a downtown area, I can pick to eat at a variety of unique places ranging from street vendors to high end food. Malls do not offer that. Not to mention being around an atmosphere with cool architecture.
1) You obviously know nothing of the clothing industry. Your comment is elitist. I'm glad you have the money to go blow on some small boutique which imports things from China just like the mall does (which does have High quality things). And having someone make your dress doesn't count, because I highly doubt your wardrobe is filled with custom-made clothes. Your comment is not only elitist but also ignorant.
2) The mall doesn't?... I've been to malls where you can buy a pretzel for a buck and a $100 plate 200 feet away. Litterally, people actually GO TO THE MALL for the HIGH END restaurant.
3) I'll give you that... tee hee.
It's not that I LOVE malls, but many people are unfairly "hating on" malls. Yeah... they're ugly and suburban. That's the only real thing I dislike.
If the malls can be incorporated into the downtown through public transit, parking lots and large population density, they can help make an area more vibrant. Prudential Center Mall in Boston is a good example. There's a "T" stop on one end of the mall, and shops outside. Maybe a few too many chains and a bit upscale, it still helps to keep the neighborhood vibrant. Plus, it doesn't take away from the major outdoor shopping districts like Downtown Crossing and Quincy Market.
On the other hand, I see how both strip malls and large shopping malls in both Burlington, MA and Nashua, NH have killed any chances Lowell has of ever having a decent downtown. Same comparisons can be made with Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport, CT.
If the malls can be incorporated into the downtown through public transit, parking lots and large population density, they can help make an area more vibrant. Prudential Center Mall in Boston is a good example. There's a "T" stop on one end of the mall, and shops outside. Maybe a few too many chains and a bit upscale, it still helps to keep the neighborhood vibrant. Plus, it doesn't take away from the major outdoor shopping districts like Downtown Crossing and Quincy Market.
On the other hand, I see how both strip malls and large shopping malls in both Burlington, MA and Nashua, NH have killed any chances Lowell has of ever having a decent downtown. Same comparisons can be made with Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport, CT.
I agree public transportation for a mall in downtown helps.
The lifestyle center in our downtown is right next to a bus stop. And is a main stopping point in the city.
There are a lot of malls in walkable and transit-accessible areas. Westfield San Francisco Centre is probably the most popular of these. Other notable examples include Westfield Downtown Plaza in Sacramento, the Westlake Center in Seattle, Manhattan Mall in Manhattan, The Gallery at Market East in Philadelphia, and all of the vertical malls along Michigan Avenue in Chicago. In the DC and Toronto areas there are areas that are otherwise not walkable, but contain a mall adjacent to a transit station; notable examples of these include the Yorkdale Center and Scarborough Town Centre in GTA, and Westfield Wheaton Mall and Fashion Centre at Pentagon City in the DC metro area.
The main shopping area in Philly is King of Prussia, while many Dt Philly/Center City stores on Chestnut and Walnut Streets have closed. Check out the Liberty tower galleria on Chestnut/Market. Alot of stores have closed. The mall is struggling. I'm not talking about the Galleria on E. Market St. That's a black eye on Philly. The suburban malls have hurt the city proper since most of the upscale stores are not even in the city. That's ashame. I was disappointed.
When Center City is mostly restaurants and some bars with mediocre shopping, that's not a downtown. That's a office park with revelers roaming the town. The historical attractions help Philly tourism, and that is its saving grace.
I actually used to be the manager of a store in the Shops at Liberty Place which you refer to. My store was closed by the company due to "under-performing" in July 2009. Currently 3/4 of the usable retail space is now empty due primarily to large firms bailing out of the buildings above the mall to new properties in University City and Society Hill. The demographics have unfortunately changed in downtown Philly (Center City). It used to feature an upscale demographic that would actually shop but now has been for whatever reason replaced by a more downmarket clientele that is comfortable with shopping the "black eye" on Market Street, The Gallery and the "urban stores" along Market Street. Walnut Street is the only venue remaining for upscale shopping and it too is riddled with vacancies and stores content to maintain a zero or low profit margin for a presence there. It's fascinating that a city the size of Philadelphia can't support a more vibrant shopping scene and that residents seem content with 30 minute or more drives (if in fact as a city dweller one has a car) to either King of Prussia or Cherry Hill Mall. In my opinion one can't crow about a downtown renaissance as Philly has with such a sad state of affairs for the retail sector.
Will see if any the Market East plans come to fruition but at least there are funds secured to rehab the gallery and open the stores up to street level.
It's fascinating that a city the size of Philadelphia can't support a more vibrant shopping scene and that residents seem content with 30 minute or more drives (if in fact as a city dweller one has a car) to either King of Prussia or Cherry Hill Mall. In my opinion one can't crow about a downtown renaissance as Philly has with such a sad state of affairs for the retail sector.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
